Alabama

Alabama-Auburn basketball rivalry 'means a lot,' but ...

As he goes up for a shot, Alabama's Tony Mitchell (5) is wrapped up by Auburn's Josh Langford (0) in the first half Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011 at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Ala. Alabama won 68-58. (The Birmingham News / Hal Yeager)

TUSCALOOSA -- Rivals? Sure. Bitter? Somewhat. Archenemies? Perhaps.

Toxic? No. Some Alabama and Auburn fans might hate to hear this, but the Iron Bowl of basketball doesn't seem to stir hate in the coaches and players.

Crimson Tide senior forward Chris Hines admits he has strong feelings toward the team that will pay a 7 p.m. visit today to Coleman Coliseum.

"It does mean a little more to me when you beat them," he said.

But Hines shakes his head at the mention of the poisoned Toomer's Corner trees.

"Football gets even crazier," Hines said. "It's not right to poison Auburn's trees. ... I wouldn't do anything like that, but I've heard crazy things have happened over the Auburn and Alabama rivalry. It means more to the fans. They want to play, too."

Alabama coach Anthony Grant is 2-1 so far against Auburn, and his team will go for its first sweep of the Tigers since 2006. He squirmed a little when asked about his feelings toward the Tigers.

"I understand the emotion and the passion when our two teams get together," he said.

Will that emotion grow on him?

"That's just not my personality," Grant said. "I'm going to be who I am. For me, the game in front of us is going to be the most important game, no matter who it is."

The Crimson Tide (18-8, 10-2) has far more at stake than bragging rights. It already has clinched the SEC Western Division championship, is trying to keep pace with Florida (10-2) for the overall SEC regular-season title and is striving for an NCAA tournament berth.

Meanwhile, Auburn (9-17, 2-10) will try to avenge a 68-58 loss to Alabama earlier this season.

This game pits the offensively challenged Tigers (11th in the SEC in scoring at 63.2 ppg and last in shooting) against one of the best defensive teams in the nation (the Crimson Tide is allowing 58.2 ppg, fifth in the nation).

"The offense has really hurt us in terms of being able to stay in the game," first-year Auburn coach Tony Barbee said, "but that is to be expected against high-level teams that you face every night in this league."

Alabama has won 13 of its past 15 games, and its defensive average of 58.2 points is on pace to be the best in the SEC since the shot clock was introduced in 1985. The Crimson Tide is allowing only 37 percent shooting and averaging 9.5 steals -- both third nationally.

Alabama sophomore forward Tony Mitchell scored 15 points in the first game against the Tigers, but he has scored 20 or more in five of the past six.

"Their team feeds off a lot of what he does," Barbee said. "He's a high-energy guy. He's a difficult matchup because he can go inside and out."